Coin controlled vending machine



y 15,1958 c. GABRIELSEN ETAL 2,843,242

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Original Filed June 13, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet l .i-m HT y 1953 c. GABRIELSENETAL .ICOIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Original Filed June 13. 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORfi 1953 c. GABRIELSEN EI'AL 2,843,242

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 15, 1947 INVENTORfi (MP/s rmw Ghana 1. snv 61 717 Emcrrso/v y 1953 c. GABRIELSEN E'rw. 2,843,242

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Original Filed June 13, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1958 I c. GABRIELSEN ET AL 2,843,242

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Original Filed June 13. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 s M. 4 T H u m; a 2 wm g 4 9 6 m Y 5 NE L w; m i m M 2 ms 1 QKS w A w 'i l l United States Patent O COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Christian Gabrielsen, Mountain Lakes, N. J., and Gustaf Erickson, Covina, Calif., assignors to Rowe Manufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, N. 1., a corporation of New York Continuation of abandoned application Serial No. 754,480, June 13, 1947, and forfeited application Serial No. 356,448, May 21, 1953. This application February 12, 1957, Serial No. 639,663

13 Claims. (Cl. 194-10 Our invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to a coin controlled, electrically operated vending machine of improved design and great flexibility adapted to vend a plurality of different kinds or brands of merchandise such as cigarettes.

This application is a continuation of our copending application Serial No. 356,448, filed May 21, 1953, now forfeited, which application is, in turn, a continuation of application Serial No. 754,480, filed June 13, 1947, now abandoned.

Most vending machines now available to the public have a limited capacity, requiring frequent servicing and attention. Not only is the quantity of merchandise limited, but also the diiferent types of merchandise or brands of merchandise are likewise limited. In the vending of cigarettes, for example, there are many brands, each having its following among the purchasing public. The present types of completely mechanical vending machines are frequently abused in that the power for the operation is furnished by the purchaser. The operating mechanism is apt to be yanked and jerked, placing undue strains upon it and frequently causing it to fail. Then too, excess effort on the part of the purchaser makes considerable noise so that in some establishments where vending machines would serve a useful purpose, they are not permitted, since the noise occasioned by their operation is considered too distracting. the vending machines known to the art are complicated and costly to manufacture. In the electrical vending machines of the prior art, the electrical circuits are'complicated, making forincreased liability to failure due to short circuits or other electrical faults.

One object of our invention is to provide an improved vending machine having a large capacity both in quantity and in the number of different types of merchandise adapted to be vended or the number of different brands of the same merchandise adapted to be vended.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved vending machine which does not require too frequent servicing.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved vending machine operated electrically whereby to minimize the abuses and failures occasioned by a too energetic manual operation.

Another object of our invention is to provide an auto matic vending machine which is simple and inexpensive to construct and sure and certain in its operation.

Another object of our invention is to provide an automatic vending machine which will operate with'a minimum of noise and a high degree of certainty.

A further object of our invention is to provide an electrically operated,'automatic vending machine in which the electrical circuits are reduced to a minimum.

Another object of our invention is to provide a multicolumn vending machine for vending cigarettes or the like of many different brands in which a prospective Many of 1 cigarettes.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a multicolumn vending machine holding stacks of merchandise to be vended in which safety means are provided' so that the merchandise may not be shaken, jarred or fished from the machine.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away of a portion of our improved vending machine.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of our improved vending machine showing the coin register for controlling the operation of the machine.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end view of the end of our improved machine opposite from that shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale showing the push button slide assembly and slide lock arrangement.

taken along the line 99 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is an elevation with parts broken away showing the match delivery assembly.

Figure 11 is a sectionalview taken on the line 11-11 of Figurelt).

Figure, 12 is a fragmentary detail view drawn on an enlarged scale taken along the line 12-12 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a sectionalview drawn on an enlarged scale showing the empty column signal switch.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuits involved.

-In general our invention contemplates the provision of a-plurality of columns forming front and back tiers of merchandise containers in which the merchandise to be vended is adapted to be stacked. For purposes of illustrationand not by way of limitation, we will describe our machine in connection with the vending of cigarettes. A common operating memberis adapted to be selectively coupled to an ejecting mechanism comprising a plurality of pivoted links. The operation of the push button when the'proper coins are placed into the register acts to couple the ejecting mechanism associated with the individual push button and to close a circuit to the prime mover through a coin register. The operation of the prime mover will then operate the ejecting mechanism. One push button is provided for each column. The coin register which we employ is described in application of Christian Gabrielsen, Serial No. 768,997, filed August 16, 1947, now Patent No.'2,704,590, by which it is possible tojvend from a single machine merchandise having various prices and to receive in return the merchandise selected and the proper change, depending on the coins placed in the coin register. Our arrangement is such that when one push button is pressed, no other push but- 3. Extending horizontally across the casing ton can be operated. The coin register is designed to accept the coins only after the merchandise has been delivered. A signal is provided to advise the purchaser when the merchandise in the column selected has been exhausted. In the case of cigarettes, a package of matches is delivered along with the package of cigarettes.

More particularly, referring 'now to the drawings, a casing 16 formed. of sheet metal or any other suitable material is adapted to fixedly support a rear transverse partition 18 extending across the casing. Secured to the transverse partition 18 and extending at right angles therefrom, we provide a plurality of column partitions 20 defining merchandise receiving containers. Pivotally supported from the casing 16 in front of the tier of columns just described, we provide a second transverse partition 22 to which are secured at right angles in any suitable manner, as by welding, riveting or the like, a

- plurality of compartment-defining partitions 24 extend-' ing at right angles from the transverse partition 22. The front edges of the partitions 20 are provided with vertical flanges 26 and bottom flanges 28 adapted to confine the stacks of cigarettes. Similarly, the partitions 24 are provided with forward vertical flanges 30 and bottom" horizontal flanges 32 adapted to hold columns of cigarettes. The bottom flanges 28 and the bottom flanges 32 extend well toward the center line of the column.

We have found that columns of cigarettes are well supported by the arrangement just described.

Extending horizontally across the casing 16 adjacent the rear of the rear tier of columns, we provide a rod 34 pivotally mounted in the casing. Secured to the rod 34 for rotation therewith, we provide a plurality of flaps 36 adapted to close the opening formed in the rear wall 18 adjacent the bottom of each column through which packages of cigarettes are adapted to pass. Extending horizontally across the casing 16, slightly to the rear of the partition 22, we provide a shaft 38 similar to shaft 34 mounted for rotation in the side walls of the casing. Secured to the shaft 38 for rotation therewith, we provide a plurality of flaps 40, one for each of the forward columns formed by the partitions 24. Each flap 40 is adapted to obstruct each of the openings formed in the partition 22 adjacent the bottom of each column through which packages of cigarettes are adapted to pass upon ejection. Crank lever 42 is secured to the shaft 34 for rotation therewith. A crank arm 44 is secured to the shaft 38 for rotation therewith. The ends of cranks 42 and 44 are pivotally connected, by a link 46, as can readily be seen by reference to Figures 1 and 4. The cranks 42 and 44 and the link 46 form a parallel motion so that rotation of shaft 34 will cause a corresponding rotation of shaft 38. A bearing shaft 48 extends horizontally across the casing in front of and below the rear'tier of columns. Pivotally mounted 'on the shaft 48,we provide a plurality of bell cranks 50, one for each of the columns in the rear tier. Each upper end of. the bell cranks carries a pivoted ejecting member 52 normally heldin ejecting position by a spring 54, as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 3. 52 is provided with a stop 56 adapted to limit its movement in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure of and below the front tier of columns, we provide a shaft 58 on which are pivotally mounted aplurality of levers 60, one for each column in the front tier. The upper end of each lever 60 carries a pivoted cigarette package ejecting lug 62 normally held in ejecting posi tion by spring 64, as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 3. The lower end of pivoted lug 62 is provided with a stop member 66 adapted to limit its movement in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3'. Each of the levers 60 intermediate its endscarries a coupling lever 66 pivotally secured thereto by pivot pin 68.

--"We-pr'ovide,'too, for pivotal movement around shaft The ejecting member 16 in front 58 a plurality of members 70. Each of the members 70 adjacent its upper end pivotally carries a coupling lever 72 pivoted to the member 70 by pin 74, as can be seen by reference to Figure 9. A plurality of links 76 pivotally connect the other ends of the bell cranks 50 to the members 78, as can be seen by reference to Figure 3. The upper end of each link 76 is pivoted to the end of each bell crank 50 by pivot pin 78; the other end of each link is pivoted to the member 70 by pivot pin 80. Extending across the casing 16 adjacent to the rearward portions of the coupling levers 66 and 72, we provide a rod 82 adapted to coact with the curved portion 84 of each coupling lever 66 and the curved portion 86 of each coupling lever 72.

A shaft 88 extends across the casing and carries for pivotal movement thereabout a plurality of pivoted lugs 90 of which one is provided for each coupling lever 72, and a plurality of pivoted lugs 92 of which there is provided one for each coupling lever 66. The lower surface 94 of each pivoted lug 90 is adapted to coact with the toe 96 of each slide 98 controlling a rear column. The lower surface 100 of each pivoted lug 92 is adapted to coact with the toe 102 of each slide 104 controlling a front column.

Each coupling lever 72 is formed with a re-entrant portion 106. Each coupling lever 66 is formed with a re-entrant portion 108. Extending across the casing 16 below the shaft 88, we provide an operating shaft to which is secured for rotation therewith anoperating member 112 which extends entirely across the casing. The coupling levers 66 and 72 pass through slots 114 formed in the operating member 112. The construction is such that each of the coupling levers 66 and 72 are adapted to be coupled to the operating member 112 when the push button controlling the particular slide provided for each coupling lever 66 and 72 is operated, as will be hereinafter more fully described. A sheet metal guide plate 116 extends across the casing 16 immediately below the rear tier of columns. A second curved sheet metal guide plate 118 extends across the casing 16 immediately below and to the rear of the forward tier of columns. A slanted delivery plate 120 is joined to plate 116 and terminates adjacent the bottom plate 122 of the casing adjacent its forward end. The casing 16 and the associated mechanism is housed in a cabinet of any suitable design, a portion of which 124 is shown in Figure 3.

Extending horizontally across the casing 16, we provide a shaft 126 mounted for pivotal movement in brackets 128 secured to the side walls of the casing 16 by machine screws 130. A crank plate 132 is secured to the shaft 126 for rotation therewith. Each of the slides 104 and 98 has secured to it an angle plate 134. The crank plate 132 is provided with a toe 136 which contacts each of the angle plates 134. The manner in 'which the angle plates 134 are secured to the slides can their lateral edges provided with inclined surfaces corre sponding to the bevel of the beveled points of the angle plates 140. The locking slide members 142 are free to move transversely of the assembly; that is, longitudinally of the channel member 140. The amplitude of this motion is equal to the width of the reduced forward position 148 of one of the angle plates 140. The arrangement is such that when one of the plunger slides is moved rearwardly, the beveled point of the angle plate attached thereto will cam the locking slides to the left and the right as shown in Figure 7, thereby preventing any of the other plunger slides from being operatively actuated.

The plunger slide and angle plate assembly and the locking slide assembly in the channel 140 are provided with a. cover plate 146. A plurality of slots 148 are formed in the cover plate 146 for'the passage of the pins secured to the plunger slide and angle plate'assembly for movement therewith.

A link 152 is mounted horizontallly above the cover plate l46 for movement transversely of the assembly. One end of the link 152 is secured to a crank plate 154 which ispivoted about pin I56. Rotation of the crank plate actuates the lower end of lever 158 which is connected to the register described in Patent No. 2,704,590, referred to above. When the 1ink'152 is actuated, the register will be conditioned to vend merchandise for a different sum of money. For example, if cigarettes are being vended, somecolumns may contain cigarettes costing 20 cents a pack and other columns may contain cigarettes costing IS'cents a pack. The columns containing cents-per-pack cigarettes will be controlled by slide plungers such asthe upper slide plunger 98 shown in Figures 1 and 7. We secure a cam plate 160 to the link 152 so that the pin 150 associated with the slide plunger willcam the link 152 to the right thus actuating the price differential mechanism ofthe register.

As can be seen by'reference to Figure 4, secured to the shaft 126 forrotation therewith, we provide a'lever166. The lower .end of the lever is secured to a spring 168 which biases the assembly so that the shaft 126 will tend to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This causes the crank plate 132 to bias all of the plunger slides 98 and 104 for movement in a forward direction or to the left, as viewed in Figure 3. A shaft 170 is carried by the housing 124 which encases the assembly. A plurality of levers 172 are carried by the shaft 170for rotation thereabout. The front of the cabinet 124 is provided with aplurality of push buttons 174, one push button being provided for each plunger slide 98 and 104. Another push button 99, shown in Figure 7, is provided for the coin return mechanism which is actuated when it is desired by a purchaser to have thecoins deposited returned to him for. any reason before merchandise is delivered, as. would be the case in event a selected column were exhausted.

The front tier of containers for the merchandise obstructs access to the rear tier and would therefore make it difficult to replenish merchandise in the rear tier. In order to overcome this defect, we mount the front tier of columns upon a pair of brackets 176 secured to the sides of the casing 16. The brackets carry pins 178 adapted to support lugs 180 secured to the front tier assembly, as can be seen by reference to Figures 3 and 6. The lugs 180 are formed with re-entrant portions which fit over the pins 178 so that the front tier may be pivoted forwardly as shown by the dottedline positions in Figures 3 and 6. The retaining flanges 26 of the rear column have their upper portions removed in order to provide ready means for loading the rear containers. Retaining brackets 182, shown in Figure 6, are adapted to retain the merchandise in the rear containers when the forward tier of containers is swung to vertical position.

A match dispensing assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 184 in Figure 6 is pivotally supported from brackets 186 carried by the side of the casing 16 as can be seen by reference to Figures 6 and 10. A rod 188 forms the pivot for the match dispensing assembly 184. A latch 190 carried by the assembly 184 is adapted to fit over lug 192 carried by the casing 16.

Referring now to Figure 10, l1 and 12, the match dispensing assembly comprises a forward plate 194 and a rear plate '196 assembled in spaced relation. Guides are positioned between the plates 194 and 196, on which are positioned for reciprocal horizontal motion a plurality of T-shaped members 198, 200, 202, 204, 206 and 208. Slots are formed in the front plate 194 through which the arms of the Ts extend at right angles. For example, arm 210 of T 198 extends through slot212; arm 214 extends through slot 216; arm 218 extends through slot 220; arm 222 extends through slot 224; arm 226 extends through slot 228; and arm 230 extends through slot 232. Similar slots are formed in the rear plate 196 on which hooks are formed. Hook 234 is formed on T 198, hook 236 is formed on T 200, hook 238 is formed on T 202, hook 240 is formed on T 204, hook 242 is formed on T 206 and hook 244 is formed on T 208. A plurality of respective springs extend from the left-hand slide of the back plate 196, as viewed'in Figure 11, over each of the hooks. The left-hand side of each spring as viewed in Figure 11 is secured to a spring-attaching pin 246. The other end of spring 248 is securedto hook 234. The other end of spring 250 is secured to hook 236. The other end of spring 252 is secured to hook 238. The right-hand end of spring 254 is secured to hook 240. The right-hand end of spring 256 is secured to hook 242 and the right-hand end of spring 258 is secured to hook 244. In this manner, each T-shaped member is biased by an individual spring to move to the left as viewed in Figures 10 and 11. The limit of motion is defined by the'length of the slots 212, 216, 220, 224, 228 and 232. When the arms 2110, 214, 218, 222, 226 and 230 abut the left-hand side of the slots, the motion to the left is stopped. Secured to the front plate 194 in any suitable manner, we provide a plurality of containers 260, 262, 264, 266,268 and 270 adapted to contain merchandise to be vended along with the merchandise in the main containers of the machine. In the case of cigarettes, for example, packets of matches would be stacked in the containers 260, 262, 264, 266, 268 and 270. The arms 210, 214, 218, 222, 226 and 230 are the ejecting means for removing the bottom packet of matches from each stack, suitable openings for the passage of the ejecting arm and the matches to be dispensed being provided. A guidechute 272 is positioned below the containers to receive matches dispensed and lead them to an opening in the front of the machine from which the cigarettes and the matches may be removed by a purchaser.

Pivotally connected to each of the T members. we provide an operating link. Link 274 is connected to member 198, link 276 is connected to member 200, link 278 is connected to T member 202, link 280 is connected to T member 204, link 282 is connected toT member 206 and link 284 is connected to T member 208. The end of each operating link carries a roller. Link 274 carries roller 286, link 276 carries roller 288, link 278 carries roller 290, link 280 carries roller 292, link 282 carries roller 294 and link 284 carries roller 296. A plurality of segmental cams are secured to a sleeve 298 for rotation therewith. There is one cam for each roller which forms the cam follower. Cam 300 coacts with roller 286, cam 302 coacts with roller 288, cam 304 coacts with roller 290, cam 306 coacts. with roller 292, cam 308 coacts with roller 294 and cam 310 coacts with roller 296. d

A ratchet wheel 312 is secured to the sleeve 298 for rotation therewith. Pivotally carried by the sleeve for rotation therearound, we provide a crank 314 on which is pivotally mounted a pawl 316 adapted to coact with the Wheel 312. A spring biased arm 313 tends to move the crank 314 in a counterclockwise direction. An operating arm 318 is pivotally secured to the crank 314. The number of teeth in the ratchet wheel 312 is equal to the number of match containers, which in turn, is equal to the number of cams. In order to insure the correct positioning of the cams, we secure a star wheel320 to the sleeve 298 for rotation therewith. A lever 322 pivoted around pivot pin 324 carries intermediate its ends a roller 336. A spring 338 urges the roller into contact with the star Wheel 320. The assembly is shown in Figure 12 and insures the correct positioning of the cams for each step-by-step operation. The operating arm 318 is actuated throughlever 340 as will be here inafter more fully described. The lever 340 is pivoted about a pin 342 which is carried by the end of a member 344, as can best be seen by reference to Figure 6. Member 344 is mounted for reciprocatiing motion on pins 346 and 348 which are secured to 350 carried by the side of the casing 16. The shaft 34 to which the flaps 36 are attached carries a crank 352 for rotation therewith. The end of crank 352 is formed with a flange 354 adapted to coact with a flange 356 formed at the end of reciprocating member 344, as can readily be seen by reference to Figures 6 and 11.

The lower end of lever 340 is pinned to link 358 through slot 360 formed adjacent the end thereof. bracket 362 secured to the side of casing 16 carries a pivot pin 364 around which a lever 366 is pivoted. The upper end of lever 366 is pivoted to the end of link 358 by pin 368. The lower end of lever 366 is secured to journal pin 370 carried by the head 372. A lever 374, secured to shaft 110 of the operating member for rotation therewith, has its upper end pivoted about journal pin 370. The other end of lever 374 is pivoted by pin 376 to connecting head 378. The head 378 is secured to a spring 380, the left end of which is lodged over pin 382 carried by the casing 16. A connecting rod 384 connects the head 372 to the armature 386 of a solenoid indicated generally by the reference numeral 388. The winding 390 of the solenoid is adapted when energized to attract the armature 386 and thus move the head 372 to the left as viewed in Figure 6, rotating the lever 374 I in a counterclockwise direction.

While we have shown a solenoid and armature as a means for rotating the lever 374, it is to be understood that any suitable electric prime mover may be employed as, for example, a rotary electric motor or the like.

Carried by the casing 16 and mounted adjacent the lever 340, we provide a switch housing, indicated generally by the reference numeral 392, the details of which are shown in Figure 13. An operating plunger 394 projecting from the switch housing 392 is adaptedto be contacted by the lever 340 whenever a column is empty to close the switch housed within housing 392, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is mounted upon the casing 16 a coin register indicated generally by the reference numeral 396. It comprises a coin sepa rating portion 398, a 25-cent slug ejector 400, a nickel slug ejector 402 and a dime slug ejector 404. The coin register per se is housed within casing 486 and is associated with a coin shelf 408.

area 412 and dimes are adapted to rest in the area 414. The coins are inserted through a chute 416, access to which is had from the outside cabinet in which the assembly is lodged. When the proper amount of money is positioned in the coin register, one of the four members 418, 420, 422 or 424 will be free to move. The member 418 is freed by a quarter. The member 420 may be freed by two dimes and a nickel. The member 422 may be freed by three nickels and a dime, and the member 424 may be freed by five nickels if the purchase is to be for the sum of 25 cents. Each of the members 418, 420, 422 and 424 are connected by springs 426 to a link 428. The end of link 428 is pivoted to a lever 430 which is pivoted about pivot point 432. The lower end of lever 432 is pivoted to link 434, the other end of which is pivoted by. pin 436 to the upper end of lever 166. This forms part of and is shown in Patent No. 2,704,590, referred to above, relating to the coin regis- I Quarters are adapted to rest in the area 410; nickels are adapted to rest in the tating lever 430 in a counterclockwise direction and moving the link 428 to the left, as viewed in Figure 4. This places all of the springs 426 under tension. If the correct amount of money is in the coin register, one of the members 418, 420, 422 or 424 will be freed, permitting it to move under the influence of its individual spring. A lever 438 is pivoted around-pin 440. It carries a lug 442 adapted to actuate a switch 444. When the freed member contacts the upper end of the lever 438, it pivots the lever around its pivot pin 440 in a counterclockwise direction, permitting the lug 442 to actuate the switch 444.

The operating shaft 110 carries a crank 446 secured thereto for rotation therewith. The upper end of crank 446 carries a pin 448 lodged in an arcuate slot 450 formed in a bent lever 452. The lever 452 is pivoted around pin 454. The upper end of lever 452 is formed with a hook 456 adapted to immobilize the crank 44. Movement of the crank 446 in a clockwise direction will pivot the lever 452 in a clockwise direction to bring the hook 456 out of its immobilizing position. A lever 458 is pivoted around pin 460 carried by the casing 16. The lower end of lever 458 is connected by link 462 to the pin 448 carried .by the crank 446. The lower end of lever 438 is provided with a contact pin 464 adapted to be contacted by the upper end 466 of the lever 458. The movement of the operating bar 112 will rotate the crank 446 in a clockwise direction, thus rotating lever 458 in a counterclockwise direction. When the upper end of lever 458 contacts pin 464, it will rotate the lever 438 in a clockwise direction, thus moving the lug 442 away from switch closing position.

It will be remembered that the cranks 44 and 42 are attached to shafts 38 and 34 to which are also secured for rotation therewith the flaps 40 and 36. When cigarettes are delivered, the operation of a flap will rotate the crank 44. Crank 44 contacts a bent lever 468 pivoted around pin 470. The rotation of the crank 44 will rotatethe lever 468, causing it to actuate the money accepting mechanism of the coin register. The coins when accepted are guided by chute 472 to a money box 474. Coins ejected by the slug ejectors and those coins scavenged from the coil register upon actuation of the coin return push button will fall through chute 476 to be returned to the user.

Referring now to Figure 13, a bell crank 478 lodged Within the switch housing 392 carries a vial 480 containing mercury 482 A pair of conductors 484 and 486 are normally out of contact with the mercury. When the plunger 394 is operated, it moves to the right as viewed in Figure 13. The plunger 394 is connected by arm 488 to a plunger 490 lodged within a cylinder 492. One end of the plunger 490 is provided with a piston ring 494. The plunger 490 and the extension 394 are normally held to the left as viewed in Figure 13 by spring 496. The end of cylinder 492 is provided with an opening 498 adapted to be controlled by a valve 500. When the plunger 394 moves to the right against the action of the spring 496, airis drawn into the cylinder 492 through the aperture 498 and the bell crank is moved to the dotted-line position, thus tilting the vial 480 so that mercury will flow to close the circuit across wires 484 and 486. This circuit operates the empty signal which may be an incandescent lamp illuminating a translucent sign reading This column empty. The air entrapped between the piston and the 'valve will hold the switch in circuit closing position through an appreciable interval of time depending upon the fitting of valve 500. Normally, valve 500 is not designed to seal the aperture 498 in an airtight manner so that the compressed air will gradually leak past the valve 500, permitting the spring 496 to return the plunger to its left-hand position, and permitting the bell crank 478 to move by gravity toa position opening the circuit between wires 484- and 486. Referring now to Figure 14, the electrical circuits are shown diagrammatically. The winding of solenoid 390 is connected across a source of potential which may be a battery 502. The closing of switch 444 completes the circuit through the solenoid winding 390 actuating the armature 386. If an electric motor is employed instead of a solenoid, the switch 444'wi1l complete the circuit through the armature of the motor, which will rotate through a predetermined cycle and open a limit switch, as is well known to the art. In such case, the shaft 384 may be provided with a rack and the motor shaftprovided with a pinion to obtain an equivalent motion of the parts. The switch assembly in the housing 392 controls an incandescent lamp 504 illuminating the empty column signal.

In use, the front tier of containers is swung to the dotted-line position shown in Figures 3 and 6 and the columns or containers of the rear tier are loaded with merchandise to be vended. The front tier of containers is then swung to the upright position and the front tier of containers is filled with merchandise. During this operation, the match dispensing assembly is in the open position; that is, the latch 190 is raised and the assembly swung around shaft 188. After the containers are filled with cigarettes, the match dispensing assembly is swung to closed position as shown in Figures 10 and 11. Booklets of matches are loaded into the match containers 260, 262, 264, 268 and 27 0.

The. price differential cams 160 are secured to the link 152 opposite those plungers which contain cigarettes or other merchandise which is to be sold for a smaller sum than in the other containers. The cabinet door is locked and the machine is ready for operation.

Inasmuch as the coin register per se forms part of Patent No. 2,704,590, referred to above, the details of the coin register have been omitted. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable coin register may be employed which will free the lever 438 so that it may close the operating switch in response to the actuation of a push button.

A purchaser then deposits the necessary coins. For a -cent purchase, he maydeposit a quarter and receive a nickel change, or two dimes, four nickels or a dime and two nickels. In the case of a lS-cent purchase, he may deposit a quarter and receive two nickels in change. He may alternatively deposit three nickels or a dime and a nickel. Any of these combinations will operate for the illustration chosen. By using, different price differential cams, the machine may be set to operate for -cent, ZO-cent or 15-cent purchases.

The necessary coins having been deposited, the operator makes his selectionby pressing the push button 174 opposite the column containing the brand of cigarettes desired. The push button linkage is shown in Figure 3. The pressing of the push button 174 swings the lever 172 around the shaft- 170 moving the slide 104 rearwardly, thus rotating the crank 132 and its connected shaft 126 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4. At the same time, the toe 102 of the slide 104 cams the pivoted lug 92 upwardly to rot-ate the coupling lever 66 around its pivot 68' in a clockwise direction, thus bringing its re-entrant portion 108 into engagement with the operating bar 112.

The rotation of shaft 126 rotates lever 166 against the action of spring 168 thus rotating the lever 430 in a counterclockwise direction. This motion of lever 430 moves the reciprocating link 428 to the left as viewed in Figure 4 placing tension on the springs 426. One of the members 418, 420, 422 or 424,.depending upon the coins deposited in the coin register, will be free to rotate the lever 438 in a counterclockwise direction around its 10 pivot pin 440, thus permitting the lug 442 to close the switch 444. As soon as the switch 444 is closed, the winding 390 of the solenoid 388 will be energized, thus attracting the armature 386 and moving the connecting rod 384 to the left, as viewed in Figure 6. This rotates the lever 374 in a counterclockwise direction causing shaft to which the operating bar 112 is secured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, thus carrying the top of the operating bar 112 to the right, as viewed in Figure 3. The coupling lever 66 is pivoted by pin 68 to the arm 60. The movement of the operating bar rotates the arm 60 in a clockwise direction around the shaft 58 carrying the coupling lever, the portion 84 of which is depressed toward the rear of the'machine underneath the retaining rod 82 which serves to retain connectionbetween the operating bar and thecoupling lever after the purchaser releases the button 174. The rotation of the arm 60 brings the ejecting member 62 into contactwith the bottom package of cigarettes in the column which it serves.

The rotation of the operating shaft 110 also rotates the crank 446, shown in Figure 4, in a clockwise direction. This action first frees the locking lever 452 bringing the hook 456 downwardly free of the link 44. This permits the flap 40, normally retaining the bottom package of cigarettes, to be free to rotate its shaft 38. The movement of the package of cigarettes past the flap 40 rotates the flap and its shaft 38 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3.

The rotation of the shaft 38 swings the crank 44 and the link 46 torotate the crank 42 and its shaft 34 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4 and in a-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 6.

This rotation of shaft 34 rotates the connecting member 352 so as to couple it to the reciprocating member 344 which carries the fulcrum 342 of the lever 340, as seen inFigure 6.

The rotation of lever 374 in a counter-clockwise direction under the action of the armature of the solenoid 388 rotates the lever 366 in a clockwise direction moving the link 358 to the right, as viewed in Figure 6, when the fulcrum 342 of the lever 340 is immobilized by the rotation of the container flap shaft 34. This movement of link 358 rotates the lever 340 in a counterclockwise direction around the pivot pin 342 moving the operating arm 318 to the left, as viewed in Figure 6 and upwardly, as viewed in Figure 11, thus rotating the crank 314 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11 so that pawl 316 will rotate the ratchet 312 in a clockwise direction carrying thecam sleeve 298 and its associated cams around in a clockwise direction. Each cam is adapted to move one of the links 274, 276, 278, 280, 282 or 284- to the right as viewed in Figures 10 and 11 against the action of the respective springs'248, 250, 252, 254, 256 and 258. The rotation Of'the ratchet moves one of the cams to a position where the roller 286, 288, 290, 292, 294 or 296 associated with the links will ride over the highest point of the cam and be allowed suddenly to move to the left under the influence of the respective spring. In Figure 10, the roller 296 controlling the T member 230 is at the high point of the cam so that upon rotation of the cam, the T member 230 would snap to the left, ejecting a packet of matches from the container 270.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the rotation of the operating shaft 110 rotates the crank 446 in a clockwise direction, thus moving link 462 to the right as viewed in Figure-4 and rotating lever 458 in a counterclockwise direction. The end 466 of lever 458 strikes pin 464, rotating lever 438 in a clockwise direction away from switch closing position, thus permitting the switch 444 to open, permitting the spring 380 in Figure 6 to withdraw the armature 386 from the winding 390 of. the solenoid 388.

If there are no cigarettes in the container selected, that is, if the column is empty, no package of cigarettes will be ejected so that the flap associated with that column lines in Figure 13.

38 to rotate under the influenceof the ejection of the package of cigarettes will preclude the connecting crank 352 from immobilizing the fulcrum 342 of the lever 340 in re r .4

Let us now consider the action Withthe connecting crank 352 in the position shown in Figure 6. The pressing of a button closes the operating switch as outlined above so that the link 358 moves to the right. The upper end of lever 340 is connected to the operating arm 31% ofthematch dispensing assembly, since the fulcrum 342 is free to move when the lower end of lever 340 moves to the right as viewed in Figure 6. Under the influence i of the movement of link 358, the lever 340 swings in a counterclockwise directionaround its upper end as a fulcrum. This causes the side of lever 340 to contact the switch operating rod 394, as shown in the dotted This action moves the plunger 490 to the right and pivots the bell crank 478 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to the dotted-line position,

thus closing the circuit across wire 486 and 484, energiz- .ing the incandescent lamp 504 which illuminates the empty column signal. When the operating arm of the machine swings back to its original position, the time delay introduced by the dashpot serves to keep the in candescent lamp 504 lit for a sufiicient length of time so that a user may be informed that the column he selected was empty.

If the user wishes his coins returned, he operates the coin return slide 99.

Let us assume that the user. no-W selects a brand of cigarettes which is lodged in one of the rear containers. He will then press a push button to the left of the push button governing the front container which will operate a slide 98 through the linkage which is shown in Figure 9. As can be seen by reference to Figure 9, the rearward motion of slide 98 earns the lug 90 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction thus lever 72 in a clockwise direction bringing the re-entrant portion 106 into engagement with the operating bar 112. At the same time, the shaft 126 is rotated in a clockwise direction through the agency of crank bar 132 thus rotating the lever 166 and operating its associated linkage to cause the switch 444 to close, thus energizing the solenoid 388 to move the operating bar 112 carrying the coupling lever 72 rearwardly. The rear toe of the coupling lever will be carried underneath the retaining rod 82. The coupling lever is attached to the plate 70 which is pivoted around the shaft 58. The connecting link 76 is pivoted to the plate 70 by pivot pin 80 so that when the plate 70 rotates in a clockwise directionaround the shaft 58, the link 76 will move upwardly rotating the bell crank 50 in a clockwise direction, as can be seen by reference to Figures 1 and 3. The rotation of the bell crank 50 carries the ejecting .lug 52 into engagement with the bottom package of cigarettes in the rear container, adjacent which the bell crank 50 is pivoted to eject the bottom package; The ejection of a package of cigarettes from a rear container will pivot the flap 36 associated therewith to rotate shaft 34 in a counterclockwise direction thus operating the immobilizing crank 352 in Figure 6 to fix the fulcrum 342 of the match dispensing operating lever 340.

When a package of cigarettes is removed from a front container, it falls rearwardly and is guided by curved plate 118 "to inclined plate 120 where. it slides by gravity to the front of the machine where it is available to the purchaser. A package of cigarettes from a rear conpivoting the coupling .machine will operate electrical circuits of our improved vending machines ,to expel an article from its stack, an

tainer falls upon plate 116 and then slides along it and inclined plate to the front of the machine.

If a rear container selected is empty, the rotation of .the bell crank 50 wil not eject a package of cigarettes so that the flap 36 will not be operated. When this occurs, the immobilizing crank 352 will not be able to perform .its function of fixingthe fulcrum 342 of the match dispensing operating lever 340. In this case, the empty column signal switch plunger 394 is operated.

When one of the push buttons is actuated to operate one of the slides 98 or 104 or the coin return slide 99, its-rearward motion cams the locking slides 142 to the right and left thus preventing any other slide from being operated. This precludes a purchaser from pressing two slides simultaneously to couple more than one coupling lever to the operating bar or from simultaneously receiving a package of cigarettes. and his money back. i

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of'our invention. We have provided an improved vending machine having a large capacity both in quantity and ,in the number of different types of merchandise or brands of the same merchandise to be vended. Our improved vending machine does not require too frequent servicing and may be operated electrically, thereby eliminating the abuses and failures occasioned by a too energetic manual operation. Our improved automatic vending machine is simple and inexpensive to construct and is sure and certain in its operation. Then too, our improved vending with a minimum of noise. The

are such that electrical difliculties are reduced to a minimum. If a purchaser selects a column which is empty, he will be advised of this fact by an appropriate signal. Our improved vending machine automatically delivers both the cigarettes selected and a package of matches. Safety means are provided so that merchandise may not be shaken, jarred or fished from the machine.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim is:

1. A vending machine including in combination a containeradapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, ejecting means associated with said container adapted operating member, means for coupling the ejecting means to said operating member, a selecting member adapted to operate the coupling means, a holder for additional objects to be dispensed, discharging means for said additional objects, means for connecting said operating member to said discharging means for actuating the same, said connecting means normally being in inoperative position and means responsive to the expulsion of an article from said stack for rendering said connecting means operative.

2. A vending machine as in claim 1 in which said discharging means includes a reciprocating member and said earn.

4. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, ejecting means associated with said container adapted to expel an article from its stack, movable means positioned in the path of an article being ejected, an operating member, means for coupling said ejecting means to actuating means, and means responsive to the movement of said movable means positioned in the path of an article being ejectedfor preventing the actuation of said signal. e i

5. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be dispensed, a pivoted ejecting arm adapted to expel an article from a stack, a connecting member adapted to be operated to operate the ejecting arm, an operating bar, selecting means adapted to actuate the connecting member for coupling it to the operating bar, means for moving the operating bar to operate the connecting member when coupled to the operating bar, a holder for additional articles to be dispensed simultaneously with articles from said stack, means for discharging one of said additional articles from said holder, normally inoperative operating means for said discharging means, means actuated by the ejection of an article from the first container for rendering said normally inoperative operating means operable whereby to eject a second article concomitantly with the ejection of a first article.

6. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, ejecting means associated with the container adapted to expel an article from its stack, blocking means normally adapted to prevent the dislodgment of articles from the stack, an operating member, means for coupling the ejecting means to the operating member, selecting means adapted to operate the coupling means, means for actuating said operating member, means normally locking the blocking member, means responsive to the actuation of the operating member for unlocking the blocking member, a holder for additional objects to be dispensed, discharging means for the additional objects, means for connecting said operating member to said discharging means for actuating the same and means responsive to the movement of said blocking means for actuating said last-named connecting means.

7. A vending machine including in combination a plurality of containers each adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, a plurality of respective ejecting means associated with the containers each adapted to expel an article from its respective stack, an operating member common to all of the ejectors, a plurality of selecting means, an electric prime mover for moving the operating member, a normally open switch for energizing the prime mover, normally inoperable means for closing the switch, a coin register for rendering said switch-closing means operable upon the deposit of coins aggregating a predetermined value, a member common to all of the selecting means for actuating said switchclosing means when it has been rendered operable, mechanical interengaging means directly carried by said actuating member and selecting means for moving said switch-closing means, price diiferential means common to all of the selecting means adapted when operated to condition said coin register to render said switch-closing means operable upon the deposit in the register of coins aggregating in value different from said predetermined value and means responsive to the operation of a selecting means for actuating said price differential means when an article corresponding in price to said different value is selected.

8. A vending machine including in combination a plurality of containers each adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, a plurality of respective ejecting means associated with the containers each adapted to expel an article from its respective stack, an operating member common to all of the ejectors, a plurality of selecting means, an electric prime mover for moving the operating member, a normally open switch for energizing the prime mover, normally inoperable means for closing the switch, a coin register for rendering said switch-closing means operable upon the deposit of coins aggregating a predetermined value, a member common to all of the selecting means for actuating said switch-closing means when it has been rendered operable, mechanical interengaging means directly carried by saidactuating member and se lecting means for moving the switch-closing means,'price difierential means including a price differential member common to all of the selecting means and linkage operatively connecting said price dilferential member with said coin register and means responsive to the operation of a selecting means for actuating said common member when an article corresponding in price to a deposit in said register of coins aggregating in value a sum different from said predetermined value is selected.

9. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, ejecting means associated with said container adapted to expel an article from its stack, means for operating said ejecting means, a holder for additional objects to be dispensed, discharging means for said additional objects, means for connecting said ejecting means operating means to said discharging means for actuating said discharging means and means responsive to the expulsion of an article from its stack for controlling said connecting means.

10. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, ejecting means associated with said container adapted to expel an article from its stack, means for operating said ejecting means, a holder for additional objects to be dispensed, discharging means for said additional objects, means for connecting said ejecting means operating means to said discharging means for actuating the same, said connecting means normally being in inoperative position and means responsive to the expulsion of an article from its stack for rendering said connecting means operative.

11. A vending machine including in combination a plurality of containers each adapted to hold a stack of articles to be vended, a plurality of respective ejecting means associated with the containers, each adapted to expel an article from its respective stack, a plurality of blocking means normally adapted to prevent the dislodgment of articles from respective stacks, means for selectively operating said ejecting means to dispense an article from one of said stacks, a holder for additional objects to be dispensed, discharging means for said additional objects, means for connecting said ejecting means operating means to said discharging means for actuating said discharging means and means responsive to the movement of said blocking means for controlling said connecting means.

12. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be dispensed, ejecting means associated with said container adapted to expel an article from its stack, normally inoperative selecting means adapted to control said ejecting means, a coin register adapted to receive a coin for rendering said selecting means operative, a holder for additional articles to be dispensed substantially simultaneously with articles from said stacks, means for discharging additional articles from said holder, means for operating said discharging means, a flap actuated by the ejection of an article from the first container for controlling said discharging means operating means whereby to eject a second article concomitantly with the ejection of the first article and means responsive to the actuation of said flap for rendering the operative-conditioned selecting means again inoperative.

13. A vending machine including in combination a container adapted to hold a stack of articles to be dispensed, means for expelling an article from said stack, normally inoperative selecting means adapted to actuate said expelling means, a coin register adapted to receive a coin for articles of said stack, means for discharging an additional article from said holder, normally inoperative operating means for said discharging means, a flap actuated by the expulsion of an article from the first container for rendering said normally inoperative means operable whereby to expel an additional article concomitantly with the expulsion of a first article and means responsive to the actuation ofsaid for render ng the operative-conditioned selecting means again inoperative.

' References Cited in the fileof this patent a i UNITED STATES PATENTS Fr f l June 2, 19 36 Du Grenier July 13, 1943 Fry June 5, 1945 Caruso Apr. 15, 1952 

